How long does it take to make Shiso Microgreens Cucumber Salad (10-Minute Japanese Side Dish)?
This recipe takes approximately 10 min total.
10 min
· Serves 2
· Updated March 17, 2026
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Shiso microgreens are best added fresh as a finishing ingredient. Thinly sliced cucumber and shiso microgreens dressed in rice vinegar and sesame — a refreshing Japanese side that highlights shiso's anise-mint flavor.
This recipe takes approximately 10 min total.
Shiso microgreens work best as a fresh finishing ingredient, adding color, texture, and a just-cut flavor that stands out right before serving.
2 Persian cucumbers, thinly sliced
1 cup shiso microgreens
2 tbsp rice vinegar
1 tsp sesame oil
1 tsp soy sauce
1 tsp honey
1 tsp sesame seeds
Sprinkle cucumber slices with a pinch of salt; let sit 5 minutes, then squeeze gently to remove excess water.
Whisk rice vinegar, sesame oil, soy sauce, and honey together.
Toss cucumbers with dressing and shiso microgreens.
Plate and garnish with sesame seeds.
Shiso microgreens carry the same complex aromatic profile as mature shiso — anise, umami, and mild bitterness — and are used in Japanese and East Asian culinary traditions as a direct garnish substitute. Evidence on shiso specifically is limited; claims below reflect general microgreen research.
• Shiso and perilla microgreens contain volatile aromatic compounds responsible for their distinctive anise-like flavor.
moderate evidence• Nutrient and phytochemical content in shiso microgreens varies by variety and growing conditions.
strong evidence1. Assessment of Vitamin and Carotenoid Concentrations of Emerging Food Products: Edible Microgreens — Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 2012
2. Microgreens: Production, Shelf Life, and Bioactive Components — Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition, 2017
Teriyaki salmon over steamed rice with pickled ginger, edamame, and a crown of shiso microgreens for fragrant, anise-tinged freshness.
Sushi rice balls stuffed with umeboshi and wrapped in nori, served on a bed of shiso microgreens that double as an edible garnish.